A few of us were *talking* over at No Quarter about how nice it would be to just have an internet folk coffeehouse of sorts. I think it is a great idea. We all need a break from the world of politics, troubles across the country from tornadoes to massive floods to continuing high unemployment, and eruptions around the world.
I firmly believe that music is salve for the soul, balm for the heart, and enables a calming of the mind. So here are a few of my favorite folk singers and some of my favorite songs of theirs.
First, is Shawn Colvin. She is just a brilliant songwriter, and in this clip, she is accompanied by another favorite of mine, Alison Krauss. The song is a classic, "Shotgun Down The Avalanche":
Staying with Alison Krauss, a renowned bluegrass fiddler, and her band, Union Station, here is "Lucky One:"
I have been fortunate enough to see Shawn Colvin, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and my next favorite, in concert (Alison Krauss and her band will be in Charleston this summer, too - you better believe we'll be going).
My next fave up is Mary Chapin Carpenter. Get this - I got to see her, Shawn Colvin, Dar Williams, and Patty Griffin TOGETHER doing an acoustic set. They had four regular old chairs on the stage, and just sang together. It was freakin' awesome.
Staying with luck, here is "I Feel Lucky":
Finally, in case you have not heard of Dar Williams before, this song of hers just makes me smile. I can't help it. I love it:
So, what sounds would you like to add on a Saturday night/Sunday morning? Folk? Jazz? Classical? Eighties? Whatever you are in the mood for, let's have it. And if you are inclined to say why you picked that particular piece, that would be cool, too. Have a good evening/morning...
4 comments:
That was fun! Here's a little Nunly trivia for ya...I love bluegrass and I actually played the banjo at one time. Well, I attempted it, I should say, was never very good at it. :-) Of course, I was younger then, it was when my first child was only about 4 years old when I decided to take it up. Then came a time when we were so broke that I sold it and never bought another one.
Been so long since I picked at one and don't think I could remember any of the thumb rolls or hammer on's..even if I did, my old stiff hands couldn't do it any more. Foggy Mountain Breakdown...best banjo piece evah!
Oh...and don't tell anyone, wouldn't want Randal to get wind of this, I'd never hear the end of it! :-D
Thanks, Nunly! Glad you enjoyed it.
And how freaking COOL that you played banjo! I love the banjo!! (And don't worry, your secret is safe with me! LOL...) That is awesome.
Have you thought abt picking it back up? I think that would be so much fun! (I played guitar for years and years, but have arthritis in my hands now, and can't play any longer. I really wanted to learn the banjo, but alas, it was not meant to be.)
That is so cool, ME - wow! :-)
Any fave songs from those early days?
Rev. Amy- I wasn't that good at it, but I think every banjo player wants to learn either Dueling Banjo's or Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Of course, the speed comes later as you practice more. Actually, it's not as hard as it looks..it's just a matter of learning the rolls which repeat throughout the songs and the rolls are very much alike, just a matter of emphasis on one string or another. Reading the music is easier, too...different from basic musical notes.
There's no way that I would ever be able to play again. I have a lot of trouble with my hands...carpal tunnel syndrome. I need surgery on both hands but just haven't had the time to get it done. It bothers me most when I drive. Right now they are so weak I could hardly open a jar any more. I couldn't even open a bottle of water at the ballpark today, no strength at all. Frustrating.
But I still love listening to Bluegrass, especially the old masters...Flatt and Scruggs. I saw Earl Scruggs play with Steve Martin before and it was so cool.
Maybe Randal would like this...Banjo mixed with Death Metal. Ha! It's kinda neat.
http://youtu.be/ORRQh9RzZ1U
LOL abt the bluegrass mixed with heavy metal - love it! I can appreciate that abt the old masters, too.
I went to boarding school up in the mtns, and we played a lot of guitars, dulcimers, things like that. So much fun. I just didn't have the opportunity then to learn the banjo (meaning, no one had one in the group), and now, as I said, it's too late (still breaks my heart to not be able to play my guitar. The one I have left is one I have had since I was 16.).
I am so sorry to hear abt your carpal tunnel syndrome. I know that is SO painful. Yikes, ME. I do hope you can get some relief from it sometime SOON. Good grief - how frustrating that must be.
Oh, and yes - isn't Steve Martin great? He played on "Ellen" just the other day: http://youtu.be/ORRQh9RzZ1U
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